When I think of "cabinet of curiosities" I think of P.T. Barnum and his American Museum in NYC during the mid-19th century.  There are illustrations in Leslie's and Harper's Weekly.  Barnum's autobiography, Struggles and Triumphs, describes the wealth and variety of objects within his museum, as does A. H. Saxon's compendious biography, P.T. Barnum: The Legend and the Man (1989).  

Today's Barnum Museum in Bridgeport has a "cabinet of curiosities" as a permanent exhibit on its 3rd floor. The exhibit houses a sampling of strange and interesting artifacts collected by the museum and its predecessor societies since 1877.

Contact:  The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
phone: 203-331-1104 fax: 203-331-0079
http://www.barnum-museum.org/


David Palmquist



David W. Palmquist
Head, Chartering Program
NY State Museum
NY State Education Department
3097 Cultural Education Center
Albany NY 12230
518-473-3131
FAX 518-473-8496
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
web site:  www.nysm.nysed.gov/charter/

>>> [log in to unmask] 09/28/05 2:37 PM >>>
Currently, I am doing research on Cabinets of Curiosities for an upcoming 
exhibit. Does anyone on the list have information or advice concerning:
1. Other recent exhibits
2. Literature
3. Experts in the field on the topic
4. Legal/ethical considerations to keep in mind

Thanks for the help,
Katharyn Bernard
Toronto, Ontario
[log in to unmask] 

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